Name: Michelle Milner, President
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Wallingford, CT
Name: Mary Hanley, Treasurer
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and Sociology
Hometown: Lindenhurst, NY
Name: Richelle Powell, Secretary
Year: 2016
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Islip Terrace, NY
How did you get involved with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance?
Michelle: “In my freshman year, I went to a campus-wide involvement fair for all the clubs and organizations here at Stony Brook. As I was walking around, I heard someone screaming, ‘Come get some free condoms!’ That’s when I knew FMLA was for me. A group of people that felt comfortable enough talking about safe sex in mixed company was a welcome change for me. I wish I had a more noble origin story, but here it is. I came for the condoms, stayed for the discourse.”
Mary: “I first joined the beginning of my junior year. A lot of my friends had graduated the spring before and I was looking to branch out, especially with people with similar interests to mine. I loved how comfortable the atmosphere of the club was so I kept going and before you know it, I was here!”
Richelle: “I’ve been interested in Feminism since high school and I was excited to learn that there was a feminist organization at Stony Brook. I started attending general body meetings in 2013. Because I attended the majority of meetings, I was suggested to run for a position on the electoral board, which I did in April 2014. I earned a position as a public relations representative. As more electoral boards kept transitioning out of the club, I went from that position to becoming treasurer and then secretary, which is my current position.”
What does it mean to be a part of the Feminist Majority?
Michelle: “FMLA gives legitimacy to Feminism-based advocacy and discussion. We’re leaders fighting systemic oppressive systems. That’s not an easy task. So for me, being part of FMLA means resiliency. It means feeling empowered to care. It means not feeling comfortable with your own privilege while others are being targeted for their identities. It means standing up and making a conversation about uncomfortable things. It means hope for a less violent world. It means change, a cultural revolution.”
Mary: “For me, being a part of Feminist Majority is a source of pride that I’m putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak. I care very deeply about civil liberties and social issues, so actually getting my hands dirty is something I’m proud of. While I may not agree with everything Feminist Majority Foundation stands for, they tend to lean more towards 2nd wave Feminism where I lean more towards 3rd wave, I deeply respect all the work they do and I appreciate that they try to build up the next generation of Feminists.”
Richelle: “Not only do we represent the organization, but we are also representatives of Feminism as a whole. I believe it is our moral obligation to raise awareness about the movement because too many people have misconceptions about it and we want everyone to be supportive of what we do.”
What do you hope to accomplish through your work with FMLA?
Michelle: “I hope to normalize the concept of strategic rebellion. I like to look into the past at many different activist groups and dissect what made them work. That’s where strategy is so important. Not all of us have the privilege to completely dissociate from mainstream society. FMLA certainly doesn’t have that privilege. We’re funded by our school’s student activity fee. There are limits on what we can buy, use our funding for, and what type of events we can do, but we make it work. I think what I’d want to say the most is that revolution is possible, and I want to empower our members to challenge the status quo and get educated. Every week, we have informational slides and discussion based meetings that get our members thinking critically about world issues outside of a classroom setting, taught by their peers. There’s something powerful in that.”
Mary: “I would like to make sure all students at our school a) feel safe on campus and b) have access to all the resources they need. We all saw what happened with the Title IX lawsuit last year. The university has been trying to make Title IX more accessible but, in my opinion, they haven’t done enough. I also want to make sure any gender non-conforming students are able to access bathrooms and sanitary products the same way cisgender students can.”
Richelle: “I want people who come to our general body meetings and events to leave with a better sense of what Feminism is, and utilize the information that is given to them to educate others who are not as knowledgeable about Feminism in their lives.”
What does Feminism mean to you?
Michelle: “I get asked this question a lot, and I think I stumble with it every time. At this point, feminism could just be synonymous with “life.” Feminism is feeling comfortable asking for a salary increase or feeling empowered staying at home in a domestic role. Feminism is wearing high heels and a skirt or covering up. But then there is so much more. Feminism is acting against racial discrimination and violence. Feminism is making the world safer for people that aren’t white, cis-gendered, straight men. Feminism gives me autonomy and empowers me to think that my ideas are worth saying, that I am whole. Feminism is a lifestyle of empathy and empowerment.”
Mary: “Although Feminism is particularly about gender equality, my definition of feminism encompasses everyone who is oppressed in our culture. The idea of fighting against a system designed to work against you, to learn to love yourself even though you’re told you shouldn’t because of some “inferior” characteristics your group supposedly has, to hold institutions accountable when they don’t represent you, these are all very important to me. It just so happens that, as a white cishet woman, Feminism was the first thing I was drawn to. But I care about the betterment of all people.”
Richelle: “To me it is the social, political, and economic empowerment of women all across the globe. Feminism must be intersectional if we want gender equality for all types of women. I think the movement has gotten slightly better at intersectionality since the second wave of Feminism, but there’s still more work that needs to be done. Feminism also means supporting women against misogyny and sexism even if you don’t agree with another feminist’s opinions. For example, there are some things me and Hillary Clinton disagree on but I will always defend her against people who make sexist statements against her because sexism should not be tolerated.”
What do you want FMLA’s legacy to be after you’re gone?
Michelle: “I hope that future FMLA members get even more involved with other activist groups, both on and off campus. It would be amazing to hear that FMLA was responsible for campus protests and marches. I would love to see FMLA having a larger role in administrative conversations about diversity and sensitivity, both in terms of Title IX proceedings and general policies/practices at the university. We are already such a diverse group of people, and I really take pride knowing that my fellow e-board members and I were able to create and maintain a space where people of many different identities feel safe expressing themselves. I want the club to be even bigger and better. I’m already so proud of our achievements and legacy. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Mary: “I’d love to see sex positivity continue to grow on campus. That’s one area I think our club has had particular success in. I’d like to see our engagement with the campus community continue to grow as well, especially in providing for students in need.”
Richelle: “For more people to respect and support the core beliefs of feminism. I would like for people to accept that feminists are not always going to be nice about demanding gender equality. There’s nothing wrong with being polite and having manners, but gender inequality should make any decent person upset and change has not happened by simply being nice and friendly.”
What is next for FMLA?
Michelle: “I am an intern at CPO (Center for Prevention and Outreach) here on campus. In my department, we deal with issues regarding sexual assault and violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so we have a lot of collaboration in regards to topics relating to safe sex and consent. Every Tuesday in the month of April, FMLA will be having these themed meetings. We’re also co-hosting an open mic/performance showcase event on April 21st at 7pm in the LDS Center called ‘Read My Lips.’ This showcase is about supporting survivors of sexual violence and empowering others to step up as active bystanders.”
Mary: “We have a discussion based meeting every Tuesday at 8:30pm in Union 223!”
Richelle: “We will be holding our annual Sex Toy Trivia event in collaboration with Stony Brook VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood, where people can learn about various topics relating to sex and win a chance at earning sex toys. The event will be held at the GLS/HDV Center on April 19th at 8:00 PM. We’re anticipating a big turnout this year!”